Admissions (Master's Degrees)
Admissions Categories
Three broad categories of graduate students are recognized:
- Degree-seeking graduate students are those accepted into a specific graduate program.
- The graduate non-degree category applies to students who are in a graduate degree program (at another educational institution in counseling or a related field) and would like to take coursework with Trevecca Nazarene University for the purpose of transferring courses into their current program. In no case can more than nine (9) semester hours as a non-degree seeking student be completed.
- The degreed licensure-seeking (DLS) category is for students who completed a graduate degree in counseling, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related program but need additional coursework for licensure purposes. Degreed licensure-seeking students are not eligible for federal financial aid through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Admission to take courses as a degreed licensure seeking student does not guarantee/ensure Tennessee state licensure (only the state licensing board can make this determination).
Application as a Degree-Seeking Student
Applicants who submit all the appropriate application forms by the application deadline for the fall, spring, or summer semester will be considered. Following review of these applications, potential candidates for admission will be requested to complete a writing sample that will be evaluated and considered in review of the applicant's eligibility to interview with the Admissions Committee.
Individuals who wish to study in the Graduate Counseling Program must apply online and submit the appropriate forms to the Graduate Counseling Program:
- Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university indicating conferral of bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 (on a scale of 4.0). Applicants who have completed graduate coursework may be required to submit official transcripts indicating this coursework.
- Official test score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum score of 290 (combined verbal and quantitative). Typically, GRE will be waived if applicant already holds a MA degree, or has an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, at times, may still be asked to submit the GRE or an additional writing sample.
*Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT), with a minimum score of 380, will be accepted through November 1, 2023 as an alternative to the GRE.
- Two (2) completed reference assessment forms.
- English Proficiency for international applicants: Applicants who did not receive a high school diploma or university bachelor’s degree with English as the medium of instruction must submit either:
- TOEFL score of 100iBT/600pBT/250cBT, OR
- IELTS score of 6.5, OR
- Transcript from International English Institute showing successful completion of level six in ALL course areas offered at IEI with a letter or recommendation from the IEI Academic Director.
Admission on Academic Restriction
Admission to the master's programs is based, in part, on a cumulative GPA of 2.7, and a score of 290 on the GRE. Applicants who do not meet all program admission guidelines may be admitted on academic restriction (or conditional status) upon recommendation of the director of the Graduate Counseling Program. In some cases, students may be admitted on academic restriction based on the writing assessment; in this case, students will be required to work with academic services.
The admission on academic restriction status will be removed when the enrollee has completed the first two courses with a minimum grade of B in each of these courses. Failure to meet this stipulation during any of the first two courses will result in disenrollment.
Application as a Non-Degree Seeking Student
Following review of the application items listed below, potential candidates for non-degree seeking admission may be required to interview with the program director in order to determine the admission decision. The program director makes final determination on whether an applicant is admitted to the program as a non-degree seeking student.
Individuals who wish to enroll as non-degree seeking students in the Graduate Counseling Program must apply online and submit the appropriate forms to the Graduate Counseling Program:
- Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university indicating current enrollment and good academic standing in a graduate degree-seeking program in counseling, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related program. Official transcripts must be sent directly to and received by the Graduate Counseling Program.
- Two (2) completed reference assessment forms.
Application as a Degreed Licensure-Seeking Student
Following review of the application items listed below, potential candidates for degreed licensure-seeking admission may be required to interview with the program director in order to determine the admission decision. The program director makes final determination on whether an applicant is admitted to the program as a degreed licensure-seeking student.
Individuals who wish to enroll as degreed licensure-seeking students in the Graduate Counseling Program must apply online and submit the appropriate forms to the Graduate Counseling Program:
- Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university indicating good academic standing and conferral of a graduate degree in counseling, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related program.
- Two (2) completed reference assessment forms.
Practicum/internships are reserved for degree-seeking students or graduates of the program. While individuals admitted as degreed licensure-seeking students may request enrollment in practicum/internship, these requests are rarely granted; if a degreed licensure-seeking student/applicant is being considered for enrollment in practicum/internships, additional application materials or application steps may be required in order to determine if the request is approved or denied.